Michael Atherton feels pity for India’s next no. 4 batter in Test cricket after Virat Kohli’s retirement

Former England captain Michael Atherton is not sure who would take the number four slot for India in Test cricket after Virat Kohli’s retirement. Atherton noted that it would be big shoes to fill for the team as Kohli had a glorious career.

The former Indian captain amassed 9230 runs in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. Kohli was able to fill in the big void, which was left by legendary Sachin Tendulkar as he delivered consistently in the red-ball version.

Kohli also led the team with aplomb and got the best out of his players in the Test format. 

“It feels as though at the start of a new World Test Championship cycle, this is the moment that India will start to regenerate and reshape their team. We’re not sure who is going to take his place at No. 4 yet, and you kind of pity the person who has to follow because you’ve just had about 15 years of Kohli and before that, it was Sachin Tendulkar,” Atherton said on Sky Sports.

Atherton said he loved watching Kohli in Test cricket as he played with a lot of passion and intensity. 

Meanwhile, in the last 69 Test innings since 2020, Kohli managed only 2028 runs at an average of 30.72, including just three centuries. Before 2020, Kohli accumulated 7202 runs in 141 Test innings at an average of 54.97, including 27 centuries.

Kohli scored 190 runs in five Test matches on the Australian tour at an average of 23.75 and thus could not deliver the goods. 

After announcing his Test retirement, Kohli would be seen in action for RCB in IPL 2025, which will resume on May 17.